Somewhere along the way, people decided that lying is bad unless it is a little white lie. These white lies are generally considered okay because no one gets hurt. An example of a white lie is telling a friend she looks great in a potato sack when in reality she looks awful in it. Another example of a white lie is saying someone has a great singing voice when in reality it sounds like somebody stepped on a cat.

White lies are supposed to spare someone’s feelings from being hurt. What happens when those white lies catch up to you? The fact is no one enjoys being lied to, no matter what the reason. White lies really can hurt someone, just not always in the way you might think. 

Full circle

The uncanny thing about lies is that count on each one to come back to you sooner or later. No matter how innocent or well-meaning a lie is, a lie is still a lie. When most people figure out that they have been lied to, it hurts their feelings. It can even make them question the integrity of the people that lied to them. 

If you are willing to lie about small stuff, are you lying about stuff that really matters also? This question can go through the minds of people that you tell white lies to. Even if you are lying to protect the feelings of a loved one, it can backfire in ways you cannot imagine. 

Self

Not many people would like to be known as a liar. In fact some people get very angry at being called a liar. When you get caught telling white lies, it can damage your reputation as an honest person. People may stop asking your opinion about anything for fear that you will not be honest. 

Another way white lies can hurt you is causing imposition on yourself. For example people constantly ask you to do them favors and you always say you don’t mind at all, when you actually do mind. These people are not doing anything wrong, you are the one putting yourself out by not saying no! 

Third party

One final example of a way white lies can hurt someone is by third- party interference. Your friend asks you if he is a good enough singer to try out for a part in a community musical. You say yes he is fabulous and should audition. The director of the musical and some of the casting people hear his voice and cut him off before the song is over. They tell him his voice is awful and that his audition is over. Some people in the audience are even laughing at your friend.

In this example, the friend may have tried out for the part whether you thought he should or not. However he could have been a little more prepared for the potential rejection had you been honest with him. The point here is that just because you are willing to lie to spare loved ones feelings, doesn’t mean other people will do the same. 

These are just a few ways white can hurt someone. Lies have a way of coming back and slapping people in the face. You can damage your own reputation by being known for telling lies (white or otherwise). Other people may not be as nice as you are and will tell the bold truth, exposing your lie(s). None of these scenarios are very pleasant. 

The best way to avoid problems caused by lies is to not lie. People have the ability to tell the truth without being brutal about it. You may temporarily hurt someone with the truth, but that is better than losing their trust in your word.